When Paula was a child, unlikely places like graveled parking lots and sand-filled playgrounds held a rich bounty of fossils and beautiful stones for her. Art projects were her other passion. Paula’s parents encouraged her interests in art and nature by enrolling Paula in classes at the Lawrence Arts Center and the Museum of Natural History. She was introduced to metal in high school, and eventually received a BFA in Metalsmithing from the University of Kansas. Her designs are constructed using traditional metalsmithing techniques. She uses sterling silver sheet and wire to create the majority of pieces, although occasionally uses the process of lost-wax casting. She is instinctively drawn to geometric shapes and tries to evoke a sense of harmony in her pieces through the balance of contrasting surface texture, color and form. She has begun to incorporate semi-precious stones and pearls as well as 18 and 22 karat gold in some of her latest work.